The TweakGuides Tweaking Companion (TGTC) is the complete system optimization guide for Windows users. Designed for novice and advanced users alike, it is written in plain English to help you genuinely understand all aspects of Windows and your PC. The guide covers every major topic, from the correct installation of Windows and critical drivers and software, through to recommendations for every significant setting and feature, all the major performance and convenience tweaks and customizations, as well as detailed troubleshooting advice. There are also links to a range of reliable free applications for optimizing and maintaining your system, as well as to important resources for finding out even more about Windows and your PC.
Regular vs. Deluxe Edition: The Regular Edition of the TGTC is completely free and can be downloaded further below. I've released the free version because the information in it can help a lot of people, and I feel it would be petty of me to force people to pay for it. However hundreds of hours of my spare time have gone into compiling and maintaining these guides, and continue to do so. Please consider purchasing the Deluxe Edition of the TGTC, which comes in PDF or hardcopy book form. It has a range of enhancements which make it easier to use, including pictures, higher quality text resolution and full bookmarks. Please show your support for my work and ensure that I can continue to maintain these guides.
 To download the free Regular Edition of the TGTC for Windows Vista click the button:
Filename: TGTC_Vista_2.0.zip Version: 2.0 Last Updated: 19 March 2008 Size: 2.8MB Cost: Free |
 To download the free Regular Edition of the TGTC for Windows XP click the button:
Filename: TGTC_XP_4.0.zip Version: 4.0 Last Updated: 1 May 2008 Size: 2.0MB Cost: Free |
Usage Instructions
Once downloaded, first extract the PDF file from the .zip archive using a utility like WinZip or the free 7-Zip, then use the free Adobe Reader or Foxit Reader software to read it. Note: If using an Adobe Reader prior to version 5.0 you will get an error message. The files above are guaranteed not to be corrupt or contain any malware, so any issues you have opening or viewing them are specific to your system. The best solution is to update or reinstall your archival or PDF reader software, or try the alternative software. Also disable any download managers when attempting to download the file.
Copying or Hosting the TGTC
No-one is allowed to host or reproduce these guides or portions of their contents without my explicit written permission, and that includes translations. The reasons for this, and the things which are permissable are detailed here. I take this very seriously, so please respect my rights as an author. I have poured hundreds of hours into compiling these guides, and they are always available right here for free, so there is no excuse to host them or copy their contents anywhere else for your own gain.
Problems and Tech Support
I cannot provide any technical support, customized advice, purchasing recommendations, or other forms of personal support for the reasons detailed here. Please do not email me for this purpose as without exception I will not reply to such emails. The TweakGuides Tweaking Companion and the rest of the guides on this site are presented 'as is' and have more than enough information and links to additional resources to help you to help yourself.
If you are having problems such as downloading or printing the file Email Me, but be sure to read the instructions on this page carefully first. The TGTC .zip files and the PDF documents have been checked and rechecked and are guaranteed 100% virus and error free at all times.
Version History
The full version history listing all changes made in the past is on the last page of the Regular Edition of the TGTC. Below are the changes made to the most recent version of each guide. Note that both the Regular and Deluxe Editions have been updated with exactly the same changes, and at the same time, however the page numbers below refer to the Regular Edition:
TGTC for Vista 2.0:
This is a major revision of the guide. It has been thoroughly revised throughout, not just for SP1.
There are a large number of changes, but only the more significant ones are listed below:
All pages - Fixed any dead or inaccurate hyperlinks.
All pages - Fixed a large number of typographical/grammatical errors.
pp.24 - Added GPU-Z utility.
pp.31 - Fixed VSSAdmin command advice.
pp.49 - Added Transient Multimon Manager section.
pp.52 - Updated installation image / vLite advice for SP1.
pp.62-63 - Updated VistaBootPro advice.
pp.66 - Updated Reduced Functionality Mode section for SP1.
pp.71 - Updated and corrected Folder Options advice.
pp.76 - Added Edit 'Open With' Context Menu section.
pp.76 - Added Edit 'Send To' Context Menu section.
pp.77 - Updated & expanded Incorrect Folder Views section.
pp.81 - Updated Vista 64-bit advice.
pp.81-82 - Added Vista SP1 installation instructions and advice.
pp.82 - Added DirectX installation advice.
pp.82 - Updated & clarified motherboard drivers advice.
pp.83 - Updated & clarified graphics driver advice.
pp.87 - Updated driver uninstall advice, added Driver Sweeper utility.
pp.95 - Added new UAC customization option for UIAccess prompts elevation due to SP1.
pp.106-107 - Updated AVG Anti-virus advice.
pp.109 - Added AVG Anti-Rootkit Free link.
pp.116 - Updated 4GB RAM display change due to SP1.
pp.118 - Added ReadyBoot section.
pp.125 - Updated Drive Controllers section.
pp.125-126 - Added Master File Table section.
pp.128-129 - Updated Diskeeper advice.
pp.135 - Added new Search protocol due to SP1.
pp.143-144 - Updated Power Plan section, added USB Settings.
pp.166 - Updated Windows Update advice, added MS Download Site link.
pp.175 - Important: Changed ReadyBoost Service advice from Disabled to Automatic due to ReadyBoot.
pp.185 - Added Hide Specific Control Panel Items tip.
pp.191-192 - Updated Search options for changes due to SP1.
pp.208 - Added Windows Live Mail link.
pp.214 - Added GSpot utility link.
pp.215-216 - Updated Blu-Ray and HD-DVD advice.
pp.219 - Updated & expanded options for wallpaper display.
pp.221 - Added ClearType XP Powertoy link and advice.
pp.225 - Added Advanced Icon Customization section with Iconoid utility.
pp.227 - Updated & expanded Customize 3D Task Switching tips.
pp.228-229 - Updated DirectX 10 advice for changes in SP1 and the latest games.
pp.229-231 - Updated & expanded Games Explorer tips.
pp.252 - Added Internet Connectivity Evaluation Tool link and advice.
pp.255 - Added Lightsmark OpenGL benchmark.
pp.261 - Added SP1 Cleanup Tool section.
pp.264 - Added Deleting 'In Use' Files section with Unlocker utility.
TGTC for XP 4.0:
This is a major revision of the guide. It has been thoroughly revised throughout, not just for SP3. There are a large number of changes, but only the more significant ones are listed below:
All pages - Fixed any dead or inaccurate hyperlinks.
All pages - Fixed any typographical/grammatical errors.
pp.19 - Updated advice for Sandra 2008.
pp.20 - Added GPU-Z utility.
pp.36-37 - Updated slipstreaming & nLite advice for SP3.
pp.39 - Updated multi boot advice for XP/Vista dual boot.
pp.39 - Expanded RAID advice.
pp.43-44 - Updated Service Pack details and installation advice for SP3.
pp.43-49 - Expanded/clarified Driver Installation chapter.
pp.51-52 - Updated advice for AVG 8.0.
pp.54-55 - Added Phishing section.
pp.56-59 - Updated general security tips.
pp.62 - Added Video Memory Watcher utility.
pp.63-65 - Updated Virtual Memory advice.
pp.66-67 - Added Drive Controllers section.
pp.67-68 - Added Master File Table section.
pp.69-70 - Updated advice for Diskeeper 2008.
pp.96-100 - Expanded/revised Startup Programs chapter.
pp.98 - Updated MSConfig details for new Tools tab added by SP3.
pp.101-106 - Expanded/revised Services chapter.
pp.103-104 - Added full table of XP Services, including noting four new SP3 services.
pp.111 - Added Cleanup Up After Service Pack 3 section.
pp.111 - Added Delete 'In Use' Files section.
pp.114 - Added Windows Dual Core Hotfix.
pp.115 - Added Process Explorer section.
pp.124 - Added Disable Automatic System Restore Checkpoints tip.
pp.139-142 - Expanded/revised Internet Explorer chapter solely for IE 7.
pp.148-153 - Expanded/revised Windows Media Player chapter solely for WMP 11.
pp.158-159 - Revised custom themes advice for SP3.
pp160-161 - Consolidated and improved formatting for Keyboard & Programs shortcuts tables.
pp.163-171 - Expanded/revised Overclocking chapter.
pp.173 - Added Ungine graphics benchmark.
pp.174 - Updated advice for Sandra 2008.
pp.177 - Added Memtest86+ utility.
pp.178-184 - Expanded/revised Windows Errors chapter.
Enjoy the Guide!
Koroush Ghazi
Owner/Author